Manhattanhenge 2014

There is something mystical and wonderful about the sun aligning perfectly into the streets of NYC, flowing liquid gold onto the buildings’ facades and licking pavements and concrete.

There is another one due this evening: two hours from now the sun will spill into the grid and crown the city with molten awe … and for few moments … slow Manhattan’s relentless speed …

It will light this city of towers, this island built to canyons of glass and steel, of people darting in and out of holes and yellow vehicles like so many ants on missions, little human workers bent over phones with busy thumbs …

Manhattanhenge will make them stop. In. Their. Tracks.

Sometimes in the middle. Of. The. Street.

Jaw open. Eyes wide. Typing forgotten. Pointing finger drawn.

I’ve seen people weep. I’ve seen some gasp. Grasp someone’s arm. I’ve seen people grin at total strangers–connected over these magical rays that show us how distance and proximity are no more than an illusion.